Sir Daniel Day-Lewis no longer "believes in the value" of acting, after announcing his retirement earlier this year.

The 60-year-old actor announced earlier this year he would be retiring from his field after 40 years in the industry, and he has now revealed his decision came as he no longer feels passionate about the profession, and would rather use his time to "explore the world in a different way".

He said: "I need to believe in the value of what I'm doing. The work can seem vital. Irresistible, even. And if an audience believes it, that should be good enough for me. But, lately, it isn't. I've been interested in acting since I was 12 years old, and back then, everything other than the theatre - that box of light - was cast in shadow. When I began, it was a question of salvation. Now, I want to explore the world in a different way."

The 'Lincoln' actor put out a statement in June confirming his decision to step back from the spotlight, as he wanted to "draw a line" to prevent himself from getting "sucked back in" to doing one last project.

Speaking to the holiday issue of W magazine, he said: "I knew it was uncharacteristic to put out a statement But I did want to draw a line. I didn't want to get sucked back into another project. All my life, I've mouthed off about how I should stop acting, and I don't know why it was different this time, but the impulse to quit took root in me, and that became a compulsion. It was something I had to do."

Daniel's statement was delivered via his spokeswoman, Leslee Dart, who told Variety magazine that the move was a "private decision".

The statement read: "Daniel Day-Lewis will no longer be working as an actor. He is immensely grateful to all of his collaborators and audiences over the many years. This is a private decision and neither he nor his representatives will make any further comment on this subject."

The Hollywood icon's final movie, 'Phantom Thread', is set to be released in December.